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Re: Glycerol composition.

Hi smithw, I wonder if your cloudy methanol phase is an indication that there is some calcium soap present. Are you sure there were no fines from the dried methoxide inadvertently added to your oil. Is your finished bio clear and bright.

Re: Glycerol composition.

The finished bio looks great, it is possible that some fines got into the methoxide. I suck it out of the drum with a pump and i did notice the cement was really easy to stir up from the bottom. I put a couple of elbows on the end of the pipe to minimize the amount of cement been sucked in.

Re: Glycerol composition.

Originally Posted by smithw

The finished bio looks great, it is possible that some fines got into the methoxide. I suck it out of the drum with a pump and i did notice the cement was really easy to stir up from the bottom. I put a couple of elbows on the end of the pipe to minimize the amount of cement been sucked in.

Your bio sounds good. You do have to watch getting some unreacted CaO into the methoxide. As you say it is very easy to disturb it. Did you notice any reduction in your glycerol volume.

Re: Glycerol composition.

Tilly, the CaO amount is contained under the heading 'clinker' it will be similar to the 63% I posted above, otherwise any buildings made from cement with the CaO content you suggested would fall down!

Re: Glycerol composition.

I used calcium oxide and potassium hydroxide in the methanol. I didn't remove the calcium oxide and calcium dihydroxide prior to doing a room temperature transesterification reaction on new corn oil. I got glycerol fall out but an excess of strong base. In the soap test I used up all my weak hydrochloric acid testing for soap. Removing the finely divided calcium hydroxide and calcium oxide from the methanol seems to be correct. My room temperature biodiesel product is transparent yellow. I expect calcium soap is present (that's bad).

Re: Glycerol composition.

Less byproduct may indicate greater yield, but what about quality?
Byproduct = Glycerol, soaps, residual methanol, unused caustic, water (from the reaction) and other contaminants in the oil.
What has been reduced in your "glycerol"? to reduce the volume you measured from this batch?

Life is a journey, with problems to solve, lessons to learn, but most of all, experiences to enjoy.

Re: Glycerol composition.

Hi Tony
I got a little more bio than I usually get about 20-30 liters, I was more concerned about the 3/27 test come out murky. Even after 2 days it still looks the same, no drop out. The bio itself look really good.
Im having a think about where to go from here.
My Bio book still hasn't turned up